Six Comedians Standing By Dave Chappelle (And Two Attacking Him)

When the news that a handful of trans employees (aided and abetted by a transfixed media) would be protesting Netflix over Dave Chappelle’s latest special, “The Closer,” it was noteworthy how many of his colleagues stayed silent. In 2019, A-list stand-up names like Jim Gaffigan and Bill Burr defended Chappelle against similar claims that he’s transphobic, with Gaffigan, in particular, calling his colleague “brilliant.”

This time out, however, few comics have been willing to voice support for the man many feel is the most talented comedian of his generation. Their silence has not gone unnoticed. Conor Friedersdorf, staff writer at The Atlantic spoke for many when he tweeted, “Just 5 years ago I would’ve expected the online debate about the Chappelle special to include many comedians out there who are opinionated about their craft. Has anyone else noticed how many of those voices are missing, now that the costs of conversation have increased?”

But while there are fewer comedians willing to stick their necks out for the sake of Chappelle and free comedic speech in general, some brave stand-up acts have bucked the trend. Here are six funnymen who have had Chappelle’s back in this latest controversy.

Damon Wayans

When a TMZ reporter asked the man who found stardom on both “Saturday Night Live” and Fox’s “In Living Color” what he thought of Chappell’s latest special, Wayans minced no words. “I feel like Dave freed the slaves,” Wayans stated bluntly. “Comedians, we were slaves to PC culture. As an artist, he’s Van Gogh. He cut his ear off. He’s trying to tell us it’s OK.”

Wayans pointed out that Chappelle’s fearlessness against left-wing special interest groups like transgenders protects free speech for all. “I think [Chappelle’s] saying ‘With all that I have, I’m not afraid to lose it for the sake of freeness of speech. You can’t edit yourself,’” Wayans added, concluding, “Somebody needs to look us in the eye and go ‘You’re no longer free in this country. You’re not free to say what you want, you say what we want you to say. Otherwise, we will cancel you.’ That’s the discussion we need to have.”

Joe Rogan

He may be the biggest podcaster in the world now, but Rogan got his start in the gritty comedy clubs of Boston and New York. Never a slouch when it comes to championing free expression and debate, Rogan has especially stepped up to back Chappelle, a long-time friend.

Rogan

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